Originally Posted by drtravix
While this is true, there would be competitive strategy implications of not following suit if other carriers put this into their planes. While it may cost them quite a bit up-front to outfit their planes, it may not outweigh the lost revenue from people opting to fly other carriers (with internet access) on longer flights in the long run.
That doesn't wash. UA has already lost countless millions to BA and the Asian airlines over flat business class seats. Now LH and AF are adding flat seats too. That is far more important to high-spending flyers than WiFi. And UA has no immediate plans to add flat biz seats.
LH can see WiFi as a competitive issue since they are competing with AF, JAL, CX, ANA, etc., each of whom have flat biz seats. But so far, only LH has WiFi.